Can I switch website builders after my site is live?
What moves and what does not
Text and images can often be copied or exported, but layouts, custom fonts, and builder-specific features usually need rebuilding. Forms, shop settings, and integrations may not transfer at all. Expect the new site to look close to the old one rather than identical.
Your domain name can usually stay the same, but you will need to point it to the new builder's settings. Doing this change carefully avoids a gap where visitors see an error.
- Export or copy text and images first
- Rebuild layouts and navigation in the new builder
- Set up redirects so old page addresses still work
- Test forms and checkout before switching the domain
Protecting your search rankings
Search engines track page addresses, so changing them can cause temporary drops in visibility. Redirects from each old address to its new match help keep earlier results working. Check your search console or analytics after the move to spot errors.
Keep the old site running until the new one passes a full review. That overlap gives you a fallback if something important breaks.
Holding onto the old site
Leave the old site running until the new one has been reviewed on desktop and phone. Having both versions briefly lets you copy any missing details. Once you switch, keep the old account active until you confirm the export is complete.
Save copies of your images and written content in a folder you control. Builders sometimes change export rules, so a local backup avoids surprises.
Common mistakes
- Switching the domain before the new site is fully tested
- Skipping redirects for pages that had search traffic
- Deleting the old builder account before exporting your content
